The villain in this scenario, Simulacrum of Belimarius has Combat 19 THEN Arcane or Combat 19 checks to defeat, and the power:
During this encounter, other characters may not play cards or use powers.
In this scenario you'll almost always have at least 2 characters at the active location, so at least you can split the checks.
Or: can you?
Only one character encounters Simulacrum. During that character's encounter, other characters can't play cards or use powers. So: sure someone else can take the check.... if without using any powers or cards they can make 19.
My first question: is that correct?
The second question puzzled my group, who won this scenario tonight with three turns left.
Seelah and Maznar were at the Warrens, with Sajan and Olenjack at the Thassolonian Library. These were the last two open locations (Olenjack had buried a Cape of Escape to set this up). Sajan encountered the villain at the Library.
The second question is: can anyone besides Sajan play cards or use powers to help Maznar or Seelah temporarily close the Warrens?
The steps of Encountering a Villain are:
Attempt to Temporarily Close Open Locations.
Encounter the Villain.
If You Defeat the Villain, Close the Villain’s Location.
Check to See Whether the Villain Escapes.
If the Villain Has Nowhere to Escape to, You Win.
The first step begins:
When a character encounters a villain, each character at any other location may immediately attempt to fulfill the When Closing requirement for his location.
Temp closings happen immediately when a character encounters a villain. So, even though step 2 is "Encounter the Villain", the encounter with the villain has already begun. Powers that apply "During this encounter" would seem to apply.
We ruled the only character who could play cards or use powers to help temp close the Warrens was Sajan, and since he had nothing to help, with their d4 Dexterity Seelah and Maznar couldn't make the Warrens Dexterity/Acrobatics 6 check. So it stayed open.
Was this correct?
[And yeah: CD Sajan made the 19/19 Combat checks using just his weapon. Was this in doubt?]
This FAQ addresses question 1. Once the other character decides to attempt the check, the powers apply to him. So, now "other characters" means
others besides him.
This FAQ addresses question 2. Temp closing now happens before you start the encounter with the villain. So, yes, others could play cards and use powers while temp closing.
Ah, Sajan... How I love to watch you destroy things.
Thanks Hawkmoon. Looks like I should read the FAQ more often.
Turns out we did play it on hard mode. It was fun though.